An optical coherence tomography scan (OCT) helps our optometrists to assess the health of your eyes by allowing us to see what your eye looks like beneath its surface. OCT scans go one step further than 2D retinal photographs as they create intricately detailed 3D images of all of the layers and structures within your eye, including the vitreous humour (the jelly-like substance that fills your eyeball), your retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye), the macula (an area at the centre of your retina responsible for central vision) and the optic nerve (a nerve that sends signals from your eye to the brain to produce the images we see). 

OCT scans provide a clear insight into your eye health, and can be repeated as part of your annual or two-yearly eye examination, to allow for comparison and to identify subtle changes over time. This makes it particularly useful for detecting potentially sight-threatening conditions that generally don’t have many symptoms until they progress.

What Conditions Can OCT Scans Help To Detect?

OCT scans can help to identify signs of eye conditions like glaucoma up to four years earlier than traditional methods, along with a number of other eye diseases including: 

  • Diabetic retinopathy

  • Retinal detachment

  • Age-related macular degeneration

  • Macular holes


When Should I Have An OCT Scan?

OCT scans are usually carried out as part of your comprehensive regular eye exam. Even if your vision and eye health seem fine, the information the scan provides is very useful to track changes over time. However, if you notice any changes to your vision, or vision loss, your optometrist may use it to help identify any dangerous eye conditions, and begin appropriate treatment and prevention strategies as soon as possible. 

To make a booking for an OCT scan, contact one of our friendly stores here.